Реферат: Synopsis For The Once And Future King

for about half an hour, and walloped each other on the helm” (63). Through this, White

exposes the humor in chivalric life and gives the story a comedic quality.

White also utilizes humor in the characterization of Merlyn. Merlyn, who is regarded in

the novel as a very wise and intelligent person, is introduced as a disorganized,

short-tempered old man. When Wart first encounters Merlyn, the great magician tries to

conjure up a pencil and piece of paper, and humorously fails repeatedly. As a result of his

frustration, he flies “into a passion in which he said by-our-lady quite often” (28). This

depiction of Merlyn shows his amusing and funny personality, which White exposes

throughout the novel. The frequent use of comedy gives White’s novel a unique twist

which cannot be found in the traditional versions of the story.

When T. H. White decided to write The Once and Future King, he realized that his task

would be an ambitious one. He faced the challenge of telling a tale which has been

present for centuries, in a new way which would make it of interest to readers. His

recreation of the Arthurian legend more than lives up to that challenge. The addition of

new themes, anachronism, characters such as King Pellinore, and new adventures gives

the novel a unique flair without straying too far from the traditional legend. The deeper

interpretations of the characters and events in the story provide for a truth and authenticity

not to be found in similar works, and the sense of humor gives White’s novel an

individual touch. T. H. White’s The Once and Future King is one of the best retellings of

the Arthurian legend, and his additions to the tale create an invigorating and entertaining

combination, ranking it among the most popular and best read of all.

Nathan Latil, 1997 ([email protected])

A Note on the Thesis of T. H. White s The Once and

Future King

To answer the question of the thesis of The Once and Future King is indeed complicated.

I feel that “The Matter of Britian” (which is indeed the central legend of the western

world) encompasses the human condition. The Arthur Legend deals with love, loyalty,

idealism, war, peace, prosperity, perfection, and the ultimate in good vs. evil. White deals

with all of the above. I can, of course, speak more authoritatively on The Sword in the